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Comments
Will perform rotation #3 this weekend.
Regards,
OW
My car came with 17" Bridgestone Potenza RE050A II runflats, and I changed to ContiExtremeContact all-seasons.
Any road bumps are certainly harsh. As to the performance of the tires, I find the straight line tracking to be less sure than I would have expected, but again I am hardly the voice of experience in the dynamica of BMW handling, but I am a little disappointed the car does not feel more "planted" on the road. I look forward to hearing how your test drive goes as someone who has had so many BMWs.
Continue to keep us posted. Sorry it's still not quite all you expected.
For what it's worth, I don't think you should feel shafted. A lot of people are suffering from these awful runflat tires, and are not taking advantage of BMW's replacement program for one reason or another. And many people are being charged for half or full set of new runflats at inflated prices. In spite of all the warranties that admittedly are there to protect us, we take a risk buying a new product. It's up to us, the owner of the product, to solve the problem. Maybe that means taking advantage of a (fairly generous from BMW's point of view) free replacement program.
I would say you could have consulted the dealer earlier about the problem, but dealers are famous for refusing to help until the warranty or special period is over! That way they can charge you. I have nothing against dealers, I just find them not to be terribly useful for information or help, most of the time. I'm sure they're great people. The master technicians that work there are first rate; I go to one for all my needs
My advice is: find an independent BMW specialist, and mount some go-flat tires. You can get a set installed for less than US$550 at tirerack.com.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/automobiles/11FLATS.html?ex=1331265600&en=097f- - bea9423cf1a1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
http://www.tirebusiness.com/pictures
http://www.lemonlaws.com/2007/06/kabob_files_class_action_alleg_1.htmlcontents/T- - B_PG-01_03-26-071174917187.pdf
Up to that point I'd say he was probably correct, however...
"...he knows of no other customers with runflat problems."
If he doesn't then either he's lying to you or he's had his head in the sand for a couple of years.
"He also says the runflats cannot be patched..."
That is incorrect; RFTs can be patched just like GFTs can be patched. That said, if the RFT has any zero pressure miles, then the tire may well be damaged enough to deem it "unrepairable".
"...and that I can't use any other tire on my car..."
He's lying to you again. Your car will accept GFTs just as easily as it will accept RFTs. Keep in mind, if you opt for GFTs and you have a lease car, you MUST return it with RFTs in good condition.
"...and that there's no reimbursement or warranty because they deem these flats as due to road hazards."
I'm sorry to say that he's probably correct on that one.
"Please give me some specific , authoritativeadvice I can take to him. With all the customer outrage over these terrible tires, why isn't there a class action suit? Or is there one? I'll join!"
I don't see how this kind of a suit will help you as you are not (or at least haven't mentioned) experiencing tire noise and vibration issues.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
is that under their warranty? where do you find that info? I would like to point that out to my service, my service person tell me I have to pay for the whole thing.
As for where this allowance comes from, have your dealer look up TSB SI B 36 06 06 published in January of 2007. That TSB will outline the replacement policy.
Keep us posted.
Best Regards,
Shipo
1) Many localities mandate oxygenated fuel for the winter months
2) Fuel atomization in cold weather isn't as efficient as in the summer months and as such, cars tend to burn more fuel when the OAT is lower than roughly 40 degrees.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Although RFTs can be replaced with GFTs, are you certain that the suspensions will behave properly with the GFTs? I read somewhere that the suspensions have been modified to account for the stiffer sidewalls of the RFTs.
There are many reports all over the internet from folks who've done the switch, and in virtually every case they've reported a very noticable improvement in ride, handling, compliance over bumps, pot holes and otherwise rough pavement, and steering response.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Will I be able to get a refund from BMW for 50% of the cost? Can I do this after the fact? What's the hotline number?
Thanks!
btw their # is 1-800-831-1117
I hope that helps you or any other frustrated owner with these problems.
As a footnote, I plan to change them at 24K miles for a new set. This will take me into my lease end time in December with good rubber on the car. I will have about 42K on the car and 6K on the tires so the new owner will have good RFT's when she/he gets my car.
Since I got my first set at 12K for free to replace the BS EL42's, I have no problem at all to invest $700 to change out one set of tires. It was in the plan all along anyway and the car will be pristine for the new owner with shoes to last over 20K before needing the 4th set. This way, I get about 8K miles with new rubber in the Spring, Summer and Fall 2008 and she/he gets a good set of broken in tires. I plan to rotate the new set once before I give it back to the dealer (who are not allowed to rotate rft's).
2006 330xi - All-Weather RFT - Continental ContiPro Contact SSR (Self-SupportingRunflat) 245/45R17 at 4 corners.
Regards,
OW
There are many reports all over the internet from folks who've done the switch, and in virtually every case they've reported a very noticeable improvement in ride, handling, compliance over bumps, pot holes and otherwise rough pavement, and steering response.
If someone had invested a large amount (money, time, commitment) in making the change to GFTs, they'd be among the share of the owner population that was initially dissatisfied (how big a share is that?), and they'd be more likely to perceive the switch favorably, whatever the objective result. I still think it's about more than unsprung weight, especially with ZSP where the weight difference is minor, and that the total handling package is engineered to accommodate the added tire stiffness. I find that I can really toss my car around, and I find the steering accurate, very alive and responsive with the RE050A RFT package.
Second point, I've read many-many owner reports of folks who've replaced their RE050s with GFTs and literally in every case, the owners have reported an extremely positive improvement in both ride and handling. So, while the SP cars seem to have less of a problem, and even offer reasonable performance, that doesn't mean that improvements cannot be had by upgrading to GFTs.
Thoughts?
Best Regards,
Shipo
Do you have the 17" or 18" wheels?
I can say that the 17" RE050 RFTs are truly awful.
My difference to many, I've still got the RFT wheel set and I've had them back on the car several times, in the different seasons, The differences are so real. Hot summer weather is the only time they become acceptable, once warmed up. Otherwise no way do I like them on the car. All the negative effects as described by myself and others, just ruin the real BMW drive.
Some of the latest RFTs on the improved suspension systems, on late model BMW cars are working much better. BMW are getting there, but some of us have been stung by this RFT experience.
Highland Pete
To Shipo's point, agree about the EL42s, run flat or not, they're no good, but if I had them, I'd be looking at the Conti RFTs for next time. I drove a 328xi wagon with EL42s a few weeks ago which felt both dead and rough compared to the ZSP RWD car -- the LM22s are smoother in fact. My biggest practical concerns with shifting to GFTs would be the lack of an engineered-in spare (i.e. securely fastened down and leaving my luggage space alone), negative effect on weight of carrying a spare, the risk to the rim of using the fixer instead of a spare if the rim is not cleaned properly afterwards, less safety in the event of high speed pressure loss, and increased risk of having to perform maintenance on congested stretches of urban highway with inadequate shoulders.
By the way, did you run pressures according to the manual? Dealers don't seem to have the hang of that. My summers were running 29 front/33 rear. The dealer's comment was "we run around 35 all round" or words to that effect.
I just purchased a 08 BMW 328Xi. The delaership told me that RFT may have problems if i hit pothole etc., i.e., I have to change the entire wheel. To replace one wheel cost approx 450/tire. Therefore, convinced me to buy an insurance for $1200 for 5 years w/ no deductible. No limit on replacement. Do you think this is worth it? I don't think this can be used to replace worn out tires, the insurance only covers tire going flat. please let me know. I went with GE Wheel insurance. Are there any cheaper ones?
If you decide to stay with the RFTs, you'd have to ruin at least four tires before you even broke even on the insurance. Ask yourself this, how long has it been since you ruined four tires on one car in only 40,000 or so miles of driving?
Were I in your shoes I'd take the $1,200 and do the following:
1) Go to TireRack and buy four Michelin Primacy MXV4 GFTs (a very well regarded All-Season tire) for $504
2) (Optional) Pay an additional $60.48 for "Tire Road Hazard Service Program"
3) Buy the Continental Tire ContiComfortKit for $79 and use in in the event of a flat
4) Pay ~$100 to have your new tires mounted and balanced
5) Stash your factory tires in your basement or attic and have them remounted just prior to A) selling the car or
6) Take the remaining $200+ and treat your significant other to a nice dinner
Best Regards,
Shipo
Higher front pressures make the front end feel more fidgety.
Oh dear, that's a shame!
Ditto on all of your points. I would take the 335 EVEN with the RFT's.
Call me a glutton for punishment, but have mercy! I'm hooked!!
Regards,
OW